The Effect of Perioperative Vitamin C on Postoperative Analgesic Consumption: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Hung, Kuo-Chuan; Lin, Yao-Tsung; Chen, Kee-Hsin; Wang, Li-Kai; Chen, Jen-Yin; Chang, Ying-Jen; Wu, Shao-Chun; Chiang, Min-Hsien; Sun, Cheuk-Kwan

doi:10.3390/nu12103109

Cited by 39Anesthesia and Pain ManagementVitamin C and Antioxidants ResearchPain Management and Opioid Use

The Effect of Perioperative Vitamin C on Postoperative Analgesic Consumption: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

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Hung, Kuo-Chuan, Lin, Yao-Tsung, Chen, Kee-Hsin, Wang, Li-Kai, Chen, Jen-Yin, Chang, Ying-Jen, Wu, Shao-Chun, Chiang, Min-Hsien +1 more·2020·Nutrients

DOI 10.3390/nu12103109PMC PMC7600013

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Abstract

Because the analgesic effect of vitamin C against acute pain remains poorly addressed, this meta-analysis aimed at investigating its effectiveness against acute postoperative pain. A total of seven randomized controlled trials with placebo/normal controls were identified from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, Google Scholar, and Embase databases. Pooled analysis showed a lower pain score (standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.68, 95% CI: −1.01 to −0.36, p < 0.0001; I2 = 57%) and a lower morphine consumption (weighted mean difference (WMD) = −2.44 mg, 95% CI: −4.03 to −0.86, p = 0.003; I2 = 52%) in the vitamin group than that in the placebo group within postoperative 1–2 h. At postoperative 24 h, a lower pain score (SMD = −0.65, 95% CI: −1.11 to −0.19, p = 0.005; I2 = 81%) and lower morphine consumption (WMD = −6.74 mg, 95% CI: −9.63 to −3.84, p < 0.00001; I2 = 85%) were also noted in the vitamin group. Subgroup analyses demonstrated significant reductions in pain severity and morphine requirement immediately (1–2 h) and 24 h after surgery for patients receiving intravenous vitamin C but not in the oral subgroup. These findings showed significant reductions in pain score and opioid requirement up to postoperative 24 h, respectively, suggesting the effectiveness of perioperative vitamin C use. Further large-scale trials are warranted to elucidate its optimal intravenous dosage and effectiveness against chronic pain in the postoperative pain control setting.

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In a recent meta-analysis, patients who received intravenous vitamin C perioperatively had significant pain reduction and decreased morphine requirements.
“In a recent meta-analysis, patients who received intravenous vitamin C perioperatively had significant pain reduction and decreased morphine requirements [204].”
From Vitamin C-Sources, Physiological Role, Kinetics, Deficiency, Use, Toxicity, and Determination (2021) · cites this paper as [204]

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Authors: Hung, K.-C., Lin, Y.-T., Chen, K.-H., Wang, L.-K., Chen, J.-Y., Chang, Y.-J., Wu, S.-C., Chiang, M.-H., & Sun, C.-K.
Affiliations: Chi Mei Medical Center (TW)
Wan Fang Hospital (TW)
Chang Gung University (TW)
E-Da Hospital (TW)
Corresponding author: Chiang, Min-Hsien
Sun, Cheuk-Kwan
ORCID: Hung, Kuo-Chuan
Chen, Kee-Hsin
Wang, Li-Kai
Chen, Jen-Yin
Chang, Ying-Jen
Wu, Shao-Chun
Sun, Cheuk-Kwan
Venue: Nutrients
Publisher: MDPI AG
Published: 2020-10-12
Volume: 12
Issue: 10
Pages: 3109
ISSN: 2072-6643 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.3390/nu12103109
PMC: PMC7600013
OpenAlex: W3091851739
Cited by: 39
References: 54
Citations by year: 2026: 6 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3
FWCI: 0.79
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (vor)
Locations: Nutrients (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Anesthesia and Pain Management
Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Vitamin C and Antioxidants Research
Health Sciences › Medicine › Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine › Pain Management and Opioid Use
Keywords: vitamin C, postoperative pain, analgesic use, morphine consumption, intravenous vitamin C, acute pain, opioid requirement
MeSH terms: Analgesics, Analgesics, Opioid, Ascorbic Acid, Humans, Postoperative Pain, Pain, Postoperative, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Risk Assessment, Dietary Supplements, Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting, Perioperative Period

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The Effect of Perioperative Vitamin C on Postoperative Analgesic Consumption: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

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